Under the German federal system, individual States are most responsible for the administration of justice and the application of penalties.

After Germany became a republic in 1919, it was renamed Reichsministerium der Justiz (Imperial ministry of Justice).

[4] In Germany's federal system, the administration of justice, the judiciary and law enforcement are primarily the responsibility of the Länder.

The central task of the Federation in the field of justice is to safeguard and develop the rule of law.

In addition, the Ministry is responsible for the tasks arising from the establishment of German unity in the areas of criminal, administrative and professional rehabilitation and "open property issues".